Mary Elizabeth Winstead Sets the New Standard for 'Woke' on BrainDead

It's hard to think of a better time for CBS to air BrainDead. The new comedic thriller from The Good Wife creators Robert and Michelle King, which premieres tonight at 10 p.m., is about what's happening to the brains in Washington. No, really—it's literally about alien insects snacking on the cerebrums of DC politicos.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

What's even more upsetting about the plot of BrainDead is that, if it weren't for outsiders, no one would even notice. The Returned and Scott Pilgrim star Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays one of those observers as Laurel Healey, a scion of a famous D.C. dynasty who high-tailed it to Los Angeles in the hopes of becoming a famous documentarian. She's back in town to support her brother, Luke (Danny Pino), and winds up getting sucked back into the family business just as the city gets its latest infestation.

I spoke to the actress about finding the humor in politics, comparisons to other famous politicians' daughters, and the earworm of a song that was chosen to surely leave a lasting impression on the minds of fans.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

ESQ: This is a departure from your other TV work. Why did you want to do it?

Mary Elizabeth Winstead: I think that's the main reason. I'd come off of doing a couple shows where it was very dramatic and a lot of emotion and a lot of crying—just very serious stuff everyday. I was really ready to just have fun and to show that side of myself. I enjoy being silly and being more than just that emotional side. When the script came, it was hard to say no to because it checked off every box of what I was looking to do at that moment.

It's very funny, but also makes a statement about politics.

I think, ultimately, what drew me to it was that it allowed me to be fun and be silly, but it was also saying something substantial at the end of the day. I think it would be hard for me to attach myself to a show long-term that didn't have any heart or intellect at the center of it. This is really smart and has so many ideas and opinions about things that actually matter.

Your character, Laurel, is from a Democrat family dynasty. Aside from that obvious difference, she reminds me of Meghan McCain. She's following a different path from the rest of her family, and she's very outspoken.

We didn't talk about specifically the people who exist in reality. There are lots of people you can think of, like Kristin Gore or Chelsea Clinton or other people who come from those political families but have done something else with those careers. I wanted to bring myself to her as much as possible and not get boxed into the idea that she's based on any other person.

I really relate to Laurel, in terms of how she feels about politics. I have issues that I'm really passionate about, but in terms of the imaginations of the political world, I find it overwhelming and stressful. It's not something I'm following that closely because it's too frustrating and nothing ever gets done. I can definitely understand her point of view. And it also helps that in the first couple episodes she's such a fish out of water and she has no idea what she's doing or what she's gotten herself into.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

CBS

Laurel notices something's up almost immediately. Do you think that's because she's an outsider?

I think so. I think she also has this innate sense about her wherein she wants to get to the truth. That's why she went off and tried to be a documentary filmmaker. She wants to surround herself with what she believes to be truthful and authentic things in her life. And when she gets to DC, it's clear something is off and the truth is being hidden in some way. She has this need to scratch at the surface in some way. She wants to be good at her job and she wants to learn why it's impossible to get things done in Washington.

The Cars song "You Might Think" is repeatedly used in the series. Do you know much about the choice behind that?

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

I know that the Kings have a good eye and ear for detail. There's something about the '80s and Gordon Gekko and that whole world that they're tapping into for this show. There's all these '80s tunes popping up in this show in different ways.

It just hits the head on that kind of melody that sticks in your brain in the most annoying and likeable way. I think they just knew it was the right one to go for. It's fun enough and just borderline annoying. It takes a lot before you're sick of that song and once you're sick of it, you want it gone.

What do you think about the fact that it's premiering in such a hot election year?

It's crazy. I know the Kings had this idea for the show a couple years ago. But as this race took the turn to where it is now, I think they couldn't help but be inspired moment-to-moment by what's happening. The show became about that and what's happening right now and in the race.

Even though they're not the main characters in our show, they're certainly in the backdrop. Our show takes place in the current political climate. Things are happening everyday in the news and, when I look at the scripts, it's almost like the Kings are predicting the future. I think they have their fingers in the pulse in what's happening in politics and culture everyday.

CBS

It seems like a great summer series. And a different choice for CBS.

Exactly. That's what I thought when I first read it. Really? CBS is taking a big risk with this one. I love it. These people are adventurous.

You said you've been politically active before. How has this changed that?

In a lot of ways, it's kind of solidified what I already felt. It's such a frustrating thing dealing with government as it is and how it stands now. This character is so idealistic and hopeful about her party and once she gets there she thinks maybe I can do some good. On the one hand, it solidified that frustration and agitation in my part. On the other hand, I think the show has some hopefulness to it that maybe there are people out there who want to do some good we can get this together.

Do you think that's true of how most young voters are feeling right now?

I think so. I think there's a real groundswell in terms of people coming together to change things. But at the same time, there's a lot of vitriol on both sides. I think our show is taking more about that and how people are united in their hatred of one another. There's a lot of screaming together across the aisle instead of talking to each other.

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Esquire participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.